Recycling for City Employees

As City employees, we have an obligation to lead by example through reducing, reusing and recycling the wastes that we produce. It also includes supporting sustainable businesses, such as those that sell recycled-content products. As you move through your workday, serving our citizens and other City employees, consider ways for you to easily incorporate the things listed below into your everyday activities.

Recycle

Need recycling bins for your office? We can help! Simply fill out the request form to get desk side recycling bins for you and your coworkers.

Think beyond paper! You can now mix all recyclables in the same recycling bin. So, be sure to recycle all bottles and cans, cardboard and paper.

Be sure accepted materials signage is posted on or near all recycling bins and share a copy with all employees (e.g. send an electronic copy via email or print copies and share).

Put a recycling bin next to the copy machine to recycle all paper items.

Electronics. Almost anything with a cord, including computers, phones, fax machines and even ink and toner cartridges and rechargeable batteries can be recycled through the City’s contract for electronics recycling.

Paper Shredding.Confidential document shredding services are available for City offices for ongoing or one-time shredding needs.

Light Bulbs. Be sure to recycle burned out light bulbs, lamps and ballasts.

Contact the City’s Supply Division for more information about these contracts.

Inter-Departmental Sharing

Submit details (and photographs) of your surplus office supplies and equipment to community@stlouis-mo.gov so your items can be included in the City’s Community email. Employees in other City departments may have a need for what you’re throwing away.

The City’s Animal Care and Control Shelter webpage has a list of items they can always use, including blankets and towels, newspaper, cardboard boxes and other items your office may be getting rid of.

The City’s Fire Department may be interested in your wood pallets. They burn them during training exercises for the firefighters.

Recycling right is important to reducing our City’s waste! Let us know if you need recycling bins or educational materials for your office and/or would like the recycling team to come speak to you and your co-workers.

To reduce food waste, pay attention to expiration dates (e.g., place food with upcoming expiration dates towards the front of the shelf or storage area), store it at the appropriate temperature and moisture level (e.g. dry place, refrigerator, freezer) and prepare it properly (e.g. heating, cooling).

Excess food (e.g. bread, pasta, cookies) can be donated to local shelters or food pantries.

Leftover food can be incorporated into new dishes (e.g. bread into croutons, rice into fried rice).

Reuse

Before making purchases, check with coworkers in your work area, section, office, division, department or agency; other employees may be able to use or may be getting ready to purchase what you already have.

Broadcast an e-mail to all employees; another section, office, division, department or agency may need what you have available.

Surplus out your materials through the Supply Division or your Supply Officer; this could help the City earn money on those items or at least avoid disposal costs.